Woolley and Allen became folk heroes after last year's Derby and their unlikely path to Churchill Downs became the stuff of legend. They met in a bar fight 25 years ago, and the two self-proclaimed cowboys from New Mexico played in stark contrast to their more refined Derby counterparts.

Woolley hobbled around Churchill Downs the week before the Derby on crutches, the result of a motorcycle accident. His trademark black hat and horseshoe mustache made him instantly recognizable.

Mine That Bird's bid for a Triple Crown ended two weeks later when he finished second to the filly Rachel Alexandra in the Preakness, followed by a third-place finish in the Belmont.

Mine That Bird's 3-year-old campaign ended with a disappointing ninth in the Breeders' Cup Classic at Santa Anita.

Woolley said he's not sure when Mine That Bird will return to racing. He hinted before this year's Derby that it probably wouldn't be until the middle of the summer.

"He's put on a lot of weight and looks super, just super," Woolley said. "I expect great things from him in the future."

Snow Chief dies at 27

Snow Chief, the winner of the 1986 Preakness Stakes, died Saturday in Paso Robles, Calif., from an apparent heart attack at the age of 27.